In a sharp rebuke to those he accuses of “weaponizing” the legal system against him, President Donald Trump has signed an order restricting U.S. government dealings with Covington & Burling, the law firm representing former Special Counsel Jack Smith. The order also suspends security clearances for attorneys at the firm who advised Smith during his tenure investigating Trump.
Smith, who spearheaded two high-profile cases against Trump—both of which were ultimately dismissed—has maintained that his work was free of political influence. Trump and his allies, however, have cast Smith’s prosecutions as politically motivated and have vowed to hold those involved “accountable.”
At the White House, Trump defended his decision, stating, “We’re not going to let these people off the hook. The days of using government power to attack political opponents are over.”
The memorandum directs federal agencies to sever ties with Covington & Burling where legally feasible and orders a full review of government contracts with the firm. Covington, one of Washington’s most prominent legal institutions, has deep connections within government circles and boasts former Attorney General Eric Holder among its ranks.
A spokesperson for the firm confirmed that they are representing Smith in a personal capacity, revealing that Smith had received $140,000 in pro bono legal services from the firm after departing the Justice Department.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scrutinize those involved in previous investigations into the former president. Attorney General Pam Bondi, on her first day in office, launched a “weaponization work group” aimed at reviewing Smith’s actions and those of his staff.
The order marks yet another escalation in Trump’s ongoing battle against those he views as adversaries within the legal system, signaling that his administration is prepared to push back against institutions he believes have been working against him.
